1874 Northwich owe it to their supporters to perform against Formby, according to assistant manager Lee Duckworth

LEE Duckworth admits there is more riding on this afternoon’s head-to-head with Formby than a League Cup quarter finals place.

After defeats in their two previous meetings with the high-flying Squirrels this season, 1874 Northwich players have a point to prove – to their own supporters as much as their opponents – according to the assistant manager.

A 4-2 reverse in the Division One Challenge Cup last eight earlier this month remains fresh in the memory too.

“It’s a big game,” said Duckworth.

“One that’s important in terms of assessing where we are ahead of resuming our league campaign, but also because we owe our fans – as well as [manager] Ian – a performance against them.

“We haven’t done ourselves justice in both games this season, making a slow start each time.

“In fact, we probably can’t do worse than how bad we were in those matches.”

They meet again with Formby in ominous form, winning eight of nine matches in all competitions since the start of December.

It’s a run of results that has propelled the Merseyside outfit above Northwich in the Division One standings as well as to the semi finals of the section’s knockout competition.

And, while both clubs will point to promotion as their number one objective, Duckworth told the Guardian he feels a victory this time around could help kick-start his side’s season.

He added: “I think they’d love to get one over on us again as it would probably give them an edge psychologically ahead of our remaining league game at the end of the season.